A massive measles outbreak in Bangladesh has killed nearly 750 people, mostly children, reversing years of progress toward elimination. The World Health Organisation had recognized the country for achieving vaccination rates above 90 percent.
The surge began in March. Government data shows over 120,000 suspected and confirmed cases since then. Hospitals are overwhelmed. The ward at Medical College Hospital in Mymensingh is treating nearly 130 patients in 32 rooms.
Four-month-old Arafat was admitted with pneumonia and heart failure, both measles complications. His father, Mohammad Alam Mia, says his baby is not getting better. The family travelled ten hours and is now in debt for treatment.
Officials cite a "perfect storm" of factors. Unicef spokesperson Miguel Mateos Muñoz points to alleged delays in vaccine orders. He says Unicef warned the interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, about potential gaps. The new government under Tarique Rahman claims it discovered a shortage upon taking office.
The consequences are dire. Mosammat Nila Akhter says her 10-month-old daughter Maliha was denied a vaccine in February due to shortages. Maliha developed pneumonia, was discharged, then readmitted with a rash. She died after a frantic search for an ICU bed.
An emergency vaccination campaign launched in April has inoculated over 18.4 million children. Reported cases and deaths have slowed, but the country still averages nearly 1,000 suspected cases daily.
Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain acknowledges system strain but points to the large population. Public health expert Mushtuq Husain disagrees, calling the situation an "epidemic" and the current figures "the tip of the iceberg."
Days after our visit to the Mymensingh ward, we learned baby Arafat died. His father says he spent all his money and took loans to save his son.